Ontwerp voor een tapijt c. 1854 - 1864

This vibrant design for a carpet features the boteh motif, often called paisley, and was produced by an anonymous artist. The design's intricate patterns and rich color palette invite us to consider the historical and cultural context of its creation, especially its reliance on global trade and manufacturing. The boteh motif, originating in Persia and India, gained popularity in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, largely due to the rise of the British East India Company and other colonial powers. Paisley shawls became a fashionable commodity. These goods were imitations of the Kashmir shawls produced in India. As with other instances of cultural exchange, the design and production of textiles reflected complex power dynamics, economic transformations, and evolving consumer tastes. To fully appreciate the layers of meaning embedded in the design, one might consider the complex institutional histories of trade, design, and manufacturing. The cultural biography of things can often tell us a richer history than more conventional approaches.